MattC
11-10-2006, 07:17 PM
That's right, Sterling Forest. Why, you ask? Well, allow me to explain. This past Monday my dentist did a gum tissue graft and I have been home recovering and resting all week. During the first week of recovery, I cannot speak (I'm sure that image will draw a laugh from anyone who knows me) and I have to subsist on liquids and soft foods. So, I was dying to get out and figured I'd do something reasonable, since I cannot take in a lot of calories my normal way, munching on Clif Bars, etc. I'd been wanting to check out Sterling for awhile and I have the map, so there you go. I decided and planned a route last night.
This AM I started off a little after 8 from a trailhead on 17A. My route began on the Sterling Ridge Trail, which is part of the Highlands Trail. The trailhead is high, so I was on top of the ridge with very little climbing and soon had the first of many views. Typical of the Ramapos, very comparable to Harriman/Bear Mt. Rolling hills, lots of rock outcrops, scenic lakes, endless oaks and surprisingly rugged trails in places.
My goal was the Sterling fire tower, but I detoured around first to make a small loop. At the first junction, I headed west on the orange Bare Rock Trail, which is an eroded old road. It was very wet, which was a hint of things to come. Soon I was taking another left, heading south on the green West Valley Trail, another very wet old road. Flooded in places actually. I often had to head into the woods and/or climb up the adjacent slope slightly to avoid several inch pools of standing water for sections of 10, 20, 30 and more feet.
At my next junction it really got interesting. I now had to turn east on the red Fire Tower Trail to head up to it's namesake. The little brook at the junction had totally flooded the whole area. There was an old, L-shaped beaver dam that I managed to use to cross the flooded area. This was tricky, since the dam was only a narrow little band of leaves and sticks in places, just wide enough for one boot. Also, there were small, scrubby trees growing from it in places! So, I had to balance myself while moving around the little trees, hold my poles, make sure nothing 'whacked into my healing mouth, and somehow keep my boots dry. The last item got sacrificed slightly and I did get each foot a little wet. But I got across at least! I'll continue this in a few..
Matt
This AM I started off a little after 8 from a trailhead on 17A. My route began on the Sterling Ridge Trail, which is part of the Highlands Trail. The trailhead is high, so I was on top of the ridge with very little climbing and soon had the first of many views. Typical of the Ramapos, very comparable to Harriman/Bear Mt. Rolling hills, lots of rock outcrops, scenic lakes, endless oaks and surprisingly rugged trails in places.
My goal was the Sterling fire tower, but I detoured around first to make a small loop. At the first junction, I headed west on the orange Bare Rock Trail, which is an eroded old road. It was very wet, which was a hint of things to come. Soon I was taking another left, heading south on the green West Valley Trail, another very wet old road. Flooded in places actually. I often had to head into the woods and/or climb up the adjacent slope slightly to avoid several inch pools of standing water for sections of 10, 20, 30 and more feet.
At my next junction it really got interesting. I now had to turn east on the red Fire Tower Trail to head up to it's namesake. The little brook at the junction had totally flooded the whole area. There was an old, L-shaped beaver dam that I managed to use to cross the flooded area. This was tricky, since the dam was only a narrow little band of leaves and sticks in places, just wide enough for one boot. Also, there were small, scrubby trees growing from it in places! So, I had to balance myself while moving around the little trees, hold my poles, make sure nothing 'whacked into my healing mouth, and somehow keep my boots dry. The last item got sacrificed slightly and I did get each foot a little wet. But I got across at least! I'll continue this in a few..
Matt